Face drive fluid pump

ABSTRACT

A fluid pump comprising a fluidic manifold comprising a plate constructed of a fluid-impermeable material. The plate has a pump platen, first fluid connectors, and second fluid connectors, and one or more channels formed therein for connecting the first connectors to the second connectors. The fluid pump has a fluid-impermeable membrane positioned on the plate and covering the one or more fluid channels to form one or more fluid paths. The fluid pump also has a pump tubing positioned on the pump platen, the pump tubing having a first part connected to a first one of the first fluid connectors and a second part connected to a second one of the first fluid connectors such that the pump tubing is fluidly connected to the channels via the first one and the second one of the first fluid connectors.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of provisionalapplication U.S. Ser. No. 61/498,064, filed Jun. 17, 2011, the entirecontents of which are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The inventive concept disclosed herein generally relates to a fluidpump, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to aperistaltic pump having a two-part molded and bonded pump tubing, and anintegrated fluidic manifold.

BACKGROUND

Peristaltic pumps generally operate by occluding or closing flexibletubing by applying pressure on the tubing wall with a roller or otherprotrusion, such as a cam or a finger, in order to produce a flow of afluid within the flexible tubing. This process is called peristalsis andis used, for example, in the gastrointestinal tract of humans andanimals. Peristaltic pumps are widely used in many industries, butparticularly in the medical industry for pumping of body fluids orfluids to be received by a patient, because the fluid pumped iscompletely contained within the tubing, and no cross-contaminationtypically occurs. Another advantage of peristaltic pumps is that thereis usually no need to provide valves, which could possibly leak, nor isthere any contamination of the liquid to be pumped since the liquid isnot contacted by component parts of the pump, lubricants used in thepump and so on. Typical medical applications include intravenoussolution systems, feeding pumps, inhalation nebulizers, etc. Inindustrial applications, peristaltic pumps are widely used withaggressive or hazardous chemicals, high-solids slurries, or otherabrasive fluids, and in applications where maintaining the fluidcompletely contained is important.

A typical peristaltic pump has static flexible tubing arranged in apart-circular form around the periphery of a pump rotor which carries aplurality of arcuate-spaced rollers and each of which engages andcompresses the flexible tubing. To ensure a sufficient compression ofthe tubing, a sleeve usually surrounds the outer periphery of the tubingso that the compression takes place between the roller and the innersurface of the sleeve. Then, on rotation of the pump rotor, liquid willbe pumped around the tubing in the direction of rotation of the rollers,and by having a plurality of rollers so that at least two rollers are atall times engaged with, and compress, the tubing, back-leakage isprevented. More than two rollers and/or buffers are used in someapplications to reduce pulsing of the pumped fluid.

In certain applications, such as medical testing for example, multiplefluids may need to be pumped and precisely measured. Due to thehigh-cost of some of the fluids and/or reagents used in someapplications, it is desirable that the dead volume of fluids needed toprime and operate the pump is reduced as much as possible. Anotherdesired feature is inputting a fluid supply from more than one inlet,and outputting fluid to more than one outlet, such that several testsmay be performed on the same sample. Some tests require multiple steps,which may require one or more reagents to be pumped simultaneously or ina predetermined sequence.

Unfortunately, existing peristaltic pumps suffer from complicateddesigns and require large number of tubing connectors which can resultin leaking and cross-contamination. Further, large manifolds withmultiple connections extending from multiple sides of existing pumpsresult in a large “dead volume” i. e. an amount of fluid trapped in thevarious tubing connections and fluid paths. Further, existing pumpsrequire the routing and connection of multiple sections of pump tubing,which creates the possibility for error and cross-contamination, andcomplicates assembly.

Therefore, a need exists for a fluid pump having a simple and easy toassemble integrated fluidic manifold with low dead-volume, multipleinlet/outlet connectors preferably disposed on a single side of themanifold, low manufacturing costs, simplified assembly, and improvedreliability. It is to such a fluid pump that the inventive conceptdisclosed herein is directed.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the inventive concept disclosed herein is directed to afluid pump comprising a fluidic manifold which has a plate constructedof a fluid-impermeable material. The plate has a pump platen, firstfluid connectors, and second fluid connectors, and one or more channelsformed therein for connecting the first connectors to the secondconnectors. A fluid-impermeable membrane is positioned on the plate andcovers the one or more fluid channels to form one or more fluid paths. Apump tubing is positioned on the pump platen, the pump tubing having afirst part connected to a first one of the first fluid connectors and asecond part connected to a second one of the first fluid connectors suchthat the pump tubing is fluidly connected to the channels via the firstone and the second one of the first fluid connectors. A pump drivehaving two or more rollers engages the pump tubing and is movable in apath following the pump tubing from the first part to the second part,and a source is operably connected to the rollers and adapted to movethe rollers through the path.

In another aspect, the inventive concept disclosed herein is directed toa fluid pump, comprising: a fluidic manifold. The fluidic manifold has aplate having a pump platen and a pump tubing positioned on the pumpplaten. The pump tubing has a first portion and a second portion bondedtogether to form a fluid impermeable connection, and a flow channelextending between a first part and a second part the first portion. Thefirst portion is constructed of a fluid impermeable material and ispositioned on the pump platen, the second portion is positioned on thefirst portion and formed of an elastomeric, fluid impermeable material.A pump drive has two or more rollers and engages the pump tubing. Therollers are movable in a path following the pump tubing from the firstpart to the second part to compress the first portion between therollers and the pump platen. A source is operably connected to therollers and adapted to move the rollers through the path.

In another aspect, the inventive concept disclosed herein is directed toa fluidic manifold comprising a plate constructed of a fluid-impermeablematerial. The plate has a pump platen, first fluid connectors, andsecond fluid connectors, and channels formed therein for connecting thefirst fluid connectors to the second fluid connectors. Afluid-impermeable membrane is positioned onto the plate and covers thechannels to form fluid paths.

In another aspect, the inventive concept disclosed herein is directed toa method for making a fluid pump, comprising the steps of: connecting afirst part of a pump tubing to a first one of first connectors of aplate of a fluidic manifold. The plate is constructed of a fluidimpermeable material and includes channels connecting the firstconnectors to second connectors. A second part of a pump tubing isconnected to a second one of the first connectors of the plate of thefluidic manifold whereby the pump tubing is positioned on a pump platenof the plate of the fluidic manifold. The channels of the plate arecovered, and rollers of a pump drive are applied to the pump tubing.

In yet another aspect, the inventive concept disclosed herein isdirected to a fluid pump kit, comprising: a fluidic manifold with aplate constructed of a fluid-impermeable material. The plate has a pumpplaten, first fluid connectors, and second fluid connectors, and one ormore channels formed therein for connecting the first connectors to thesecond connectors. The kit further comprises a fluid-impermeablemembrane adapted to be positioned on the plate for covering the one ormore channels to form one or more fluid paths. The kit also has a pumptubing sized to be positioned on the pump platen and having a first partadapted to be connected to a first one of the first fluid connectors anda second part adapted to be connected to a second one of the first fluidconnectors. The kit further has a pump drive having two or more rollersadapted to engage the pump tubing and movable in a path following thepump tubing from the first part to the second part upon application ofthe two or more rollers to the pump tubing, and a source operablyconnected to the rollers and adapted to move the rollers through thepath.

In yet another aspect, the inventive concept disclosed herein isdirected to a pump tubing for a peristaltic pump having a fluidicmanifold comprising a plate constructed of a fluid-impermeable material.The plate has a pump platen, first fluid connectors, and second fluidconnectors, and one or more channels formed therein for connecting thefirst connectors to the second connectors. The pump tubing comprises afirst portion sized and adapted to be positioned on the pump platen andconstructed of a fluid impermeable material, the first portion having afirst part adapted to be connected to a first one of the first fluidconnectors and a second part adapted to be connected to a second one ofthe first fluid connectors; and a second portion bonded to the firstportion to form a flow channel extending between the first part and thesecond part of the first portion, the second portion being constructedof an elastomeric, fluid impermeable material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of afluid pump according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the fluid pump shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluidicmanifold according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view diagram of the fluidic manifold of FIG. 3 withfluid channels shown in phantom.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fluidic manifold of FIG. 3 with the pumpplatens shown in phantom.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of apump tubing according to the instant disclosure, having a first portionand a second portion.

FIG. 6B is a bottom perspective view of the first portion of the pumptubing shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a top perspective view of the second portion of the pumptubing shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a pumptubing positioned on a pump platen according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of apump drive according to the instant disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view diagram of an exemplary embodiment of thefluid pump, showing a path that a fluid travels through the fluid pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concept indetail, it is to be understood that the inventive concept disclosedherein is not limited in its application to the details of construction,experiments, exemplary data, and/or the arrangement of the componentsset forth in the following description, or illustrated in the drawings.The inventive concept is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understoodthat the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purposes ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

The inventive concept disclosed herein generally relates to peristalticfluid pumps. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, theinventive concept relates to a face-to face peristaltic fluid pumphaving an integrated fluidic manifold and two-part bonded pump tubing.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, showntherein is an embodiment of a fluid pump 100 according to the instantdisclosure. Generally, the fluid pump 100 comprises a fluidic manifold102, a pump tubing 104, a pump drive 106, and an optional distributionvalve 108.

Generally, the pump tubing 104 is placed on a pump platen 118, and thepump drive 106 is disposed on the pump tubing 104, such that a fluid maybe pumped by rotating the pump drive 106 over the pump tubing 104. Thefluid may enter the fluidic manifold 102 via a fluid connector 128 aacting as an inlet, and exit the fluidic manifold 102 via a fluidconnector 128 e acting as an outlet.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the fluidic manifold 102 comprises a plate110 and a membrane 112 (FIGS. 1-2).

The plate 110 can be made of any suitable fluid-impermeable materialsuch as, for example, thermoplastics, plastics, metals, alloys, latex,silicone, and polyvinylchloride. The plate 110 is preferably molded, butit may be made by other suitable methods such as die cutting, forexample. The plate 110 can have varying sizes depending on theparticular applications of the fluid pump 100 according to the instantdisclosure, but is preferably about the size of a credit card (e. g.about 3.5 in×2 in).

The plate 110 is shown as being rectangular in shape, but it is to beunderstood that the plate 110 may have any shape, including square,triangular, circular, polygonal, elliptical, and any other suitableform, for example.

The plate 110 has a top surface 114 and a bottom surface 116. It is tobe understood that the designations “top” and “bottom” are used hereinsolely for convenience and are meant to distinguish two surfaces thatare opposite one another. Such surfaces may also be designated as afirst surface 114 and a second surface 116, for example. As will beunderstood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, the top surface 114and the bottom surface 116 may be positioned at various angles relativeto an external reference point or surface, such as a ground surface or afloor, for example, and may be disposed horizontally, vertically, orangled relative to such external reference point or surface. It is to beunderstood that while the top surface 114 and the bottom surface 116 areshown as being opposite and parallel to one another, the top surface 114and the bottom surface 116 may be oriented in various angles relative toone another, including intersecting with one another in some exemplaryembodiments of the plate 110 according to the inventive conceptdisclosed herein.

The top surface 114 preferably has at least one pump platen 118 formedtherein. It is to be understood that while two pump platens 118 areshown, the inventive concept disclosed herein can work with one pumpplaten 118, two pump platens 118, and with more than two pump platens118. The pump platen 118 is preferably molded as a unitary body with theplate 110, but may also be attached to the plate 110 by any suitablemeans, such as for example by bonding, gluing, and welding, such that aconnection is formed between the pump platen 118 and the plate 110. Thepump platen 118 is shown as having a circular shape and defining a firstannular space 120 and a second annular space 122. At least two firstfluid connectors 123 a-b are positioned within and/or adjacent to thefirst annular space 120. The first fluid connector 123 a, for example,has two pump tubing attachment posts 124 a and 124 b which define fluidchannels 125 a and 125 b therethrough. The first fluid connector 123 bhas two pump tubing attachment posts 124 c and 124 d which define fluidchannels 125 c and 125 d therethrough. It should be understood that onepump tubing attachment post 124, or more than two pump tubing attachmentposts 124 a-n are contemplated to be used with the first fluid connector123 a and the first fluid connector 123 b according to the instantinventive concept. The pump tubing attachment posts 124 a-d may comprisea press-fit connector, a push-in connector, and/or any other suitableconnector capable of forming a fluid-impermeable connection with thepump tubing 104 as will be described herein below. The pump tubingattachments posts 124 a-d may also function to prevent rotation of thepump tubing 104 relative to the pump platen 118.

The plate 110 also preferably includes a retaining ring 126. Theretaining ring 126 is preferably centered within the second annularspace 122 and adapted to cooperate with the pump drive 106 such that thepump drive 106 is retained in a concentric position relative to the pumpplaten 118 as will be described below.

The top surface 114 further comprises a plurality of second fluidconnectors 128 a-m. The second fluid connectors 128 a-m are adapted toform fluid-impermeable connections between an external fluid conduit(not shown) and the fluidic manifold 102. The second fluid connectors128 a-m may function as a fluid inlet and/or a fluid outlet depending onthe particular implementation of the fluid pump 100. Alternatively, afirst one of the second fluid connectors 128 a functions as a fluidinlet, and a second one of the second fluid connectors 128 e mayfunction as a fluid outlet, as will be understood by persons of ordinaryskill in the art. The second fluid connectors 128 a-m are preferablydisposed about the plate 110 such that the number of second fluidconnectors 128 a-m used to operate the fluid pump 100 is minimized, andare preferably made to fit conventional connector interfaces, as will beunderstood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

The fluid pump 100 may also be provided with a base cart connector 129(FIG.1), which base cart connector 129 may be adapted to house acomponent, such as a pierce septum, for example, such that oninstallation of a cartridge containing a reagent bag or pouch, thepierce septum pierces the reagent bag or pouch and creates afluid-impermeable connection between the pierce septum and the reagentbag or pouch at the top and the pierce septum and a fluid connector 128a at the bottom, as will be understood by persons of ordinary skill inthe art.

The plate 110 is optionally provided with a distribution valve housing130 for supporting the distribution valve 108. The distribution valvehousing 130 preferably forms a circular wall so that the distributionvalve 108 can be rotatably attached to the plate 110. The distributionvalve housing 130 encloses a valve area 131. Two or more valve ports 132a-h are disposed in the valve area 131. In a preferred embodiment, oneof the valve ports 132 a can be a central port and the other valve ports132 b-h can be positioned around the central port in a hub and spokeconfiguration. The distribution valve 108 comprises a valve path 134formed therein, such as, by molding, etching, machining, andcombinations thereof, for example. The valve path 134 may be covered bya fluid-impermeable membrane 135, which may be bondingly connected tothe distribution valve 108. The distribution valve housing 130 isadapted to house the distribution valve 108 (FIGS. 1 and 2), such thatthe optional distribution valve 108 can be operated to selectivelyconnect two or more of the valve ports 132 a-h via the valve path 134 tobe in fluid communication with one another. The connections formedbetween the valve path 134 and the valve ports 132 a-h are preferablysubstantially or completely fluid-impermeable. It is to be understoodthat while a circular distribution valve 108 is shown, the distributionvalve 108 can be any shape capable of selectively connecting two or moreof the valve ports 132 a-h. For example, the distribution valve 108 canhave a linear shape and be movable in a linear fashion to selectivelyconnect two or more of the valve ports 132 a-h, as will be understood bypersons of ordinary skill in the art. It is to be further understoodthat the distribution valve 108 is optional, and that an exemplaryembodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein may omit suchdistribution valve 108, as will be appreciated by persons of ordinaryskill in the art presented with the instant disclosure.

The bottom surface 116 of the plate 110 comprises a plurality of fluidchannels 136 formed therein. The plurality of fluid channels 136 may beformed in the bottom surface 116 in any suitable manner, such as molded,machined, etched, carved, and combinations thereof, for example. Theplurality of fluid channels 136 are preferably molded into the bottomsurface 116. As shown in FIG. 4, certain of the fluid channels 136 areconnected to the valve ports 132 a-h such that the valve ports 132 a-hare in fluid communication with a respective fluid channel 136. At leastone of the fluid channels 136 is in fluid communication with a first oneof the second fluid connectors 128 a and a second one of the secondfluid connectors 128 l. Further, certain of the fluid channels 136 arein fluid communication with at least one of the fluid channels 125 a-dof the first fluid connector 123 a and the first fluid connector 123 b.

The membrane 112 (FIG. 2) can be any fluid-impermeable membrane 112capable of covering the plurality of fluid channels 136, such that aplurality of fluid-impermeable fluid paths 138 are formed and bounded bythe plate 110 and the membrane 112 such as plastic and/or metal. Whilethe membrane 112 is shown as being substantially the same shape and sizeas the plate 110, it is to be understood that the membrane 112 may havevarying shapes and sizes, and that two or more membranes 112 may be usedwith the inventive concept disclosed herein. The membrane 112 ispreferably molded to the bottom surface 116 of the plate 110, such thata fluid-impermeable connection is formed between the membrane 112 andthe bottom surface 116. It is to be understood, however, that themembrane 112 may be connected to the bottom surface 116 of the plate 110in any suitable manner, including bonding, adhesion, ultrasonic welding,pressure fitting, and combinations thereof, for example. In an exemplaryembodiment, the membrane 112 may comprise a sheet of foil. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the membrane 112 may comprise a self-adhesivesheet which is adapted to adhere to the bottom surface 116 of the plate110, such that a fluid-impermeable connection may be formed between themembrane 112 and the bottom surface 116 of the plate 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fluid paths 138 defined by the membrane 112 andone or more of the fluid channels 136 are selectively connectable viathe distribution valve 108 to a pair of valve ports 132 a-h such thatthe valve ports 132 a-h are in fluid communication with the respectivefluid path 138. Respective ones of the fluid paths 138 are in fluidcommunication with each of the second fluid connectors 128 a-m. Thedistribution valve 108 can be placed in a first position wherein thevalve ports 132 a and 132 b are in fluid communication; a secondposition wherein the valve port 132 a is in fluid communication with avalve port 132 c, a third position wherein the valve port 132 a is influid communication with the valve port 132 d, for example. Similarly,the remaining valve ports 132 e-h can be placed in fluid communicationwith valve port 132 a by operating the distribution valve 108 in thisfashion. Further, one of the fluid paths 138 is in fluid communicationwith at least one of the first fluid connector 123 a and the first fluidconnector 123 b. It is to be understood that various configurations ofthe fluid paths 138 may be used with the instant inventive concept,including two or more fluid paths 138 being in fluid communication withone of the fluid connector 128 a-m, a valve port 132 a-h, and at leastone of the first fluid connector 123 a and the first fluid connector 123b, for example. As will be understood by a person of ordinary skill inthe art, the plurality of fluid paths 138, the pump tubing 104, thedistribution valve 108, and the second fluid connectors 128 a-mcooperate to allow for the transfer of fluids through the fluidicmanifold 102 and can be customized for particular situations and/orneeds.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, the pump tubing 104 comprises a firstportion 140 and a second portion 142, which are preferably bondedtogether such that a fluid-impermeable connection is formed between thefirst portion 140 and the second portion 142 as will be described below.

The first portion 140 is preferably made from an elastomeric material,such as, for example, silicon or latex, which is capable of beingcompressed by the pump drive 106 as will be described below. The firstportion 140 has a wall 141 which comprises a first part 144 a, and asecond part 144 b. The first part 144 a defines a first fluid cavity 146a formed therein, and the second part 144 b defines a second fluidcavity 146 b formed therein. The first fluid cavity 146 a is defined bya tongue 148 a, and the second fluid cavity 146 b is defined by a tongue148 b. While the first portion 140 is shown as comprising a first part144 a and a second part 144 b, it is to be understood that the firstportion 140 may comprise one part 144, or may comprise more than twoparts 144 a-n, as will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill inthe art presented with the instant disclosure.

The first portion 140 further comprises two alignment notches 150 whichmay function to prevent the first portion 140 from rotating relative tothe second portion 142 as will be described below.

The second portion 142 can be made of any suitable material, such asplastics, thermoplastics, elastomeric materials, latex, rubbers,composite materials, and metals, for example. The second portion 142comprises a surface 152, fluid connectors 154, and alignment protrusions156. The surface 152 has a first part 160 a surrounded by an alignmentgroove 162 a, a second part 160 b surrounded by an alignment groove 162b, and fluid channels 164 a-d in fluid communication with the fluidconnectors 154.

Referring now to FIG. 6D, the surface 152 is adapted to matingly receivethe first portion 140, such that the alignment notches 150 receive thealignment protrusions 156 therein, while at the same time, the tongue148 a is matingly received by the alignment groove 162 a, and the tongue148 b is matingly received by the alignment groove 162 b, such that thefirst fluid cavity 146 a and the first part 160 a cooperate to form afirst flow path 166 a in fluid communication with fluid channels 164 aand 164 b, and the second fluid cavity 146 b and the second part 160 bcooperate to form a second flow path 166 b in fluid communication withfluid channels 164 c and 164 d. The fluid channels 164 a-d are in fluidcommunication with the fluid channels 125 a-d, respectively.

The alignment notches 150 and the alignment protrusions cooperate withthe tongues 148 a-b, and the alignment grooves 162 a-b to prevent thefirst portion 140 from rotating relative to the second portion 142.Further, a layer of adhesive (not shown) may be disposed within thealignment grooves 162 a-b to ensure a fluid-impermeable connectionbetween the first portion 140 and the second portion 142.

It is to be understood, however, that in an exemplary embodiment (notshown) the first portion 140 can comprise one part 144, and the secondportion 142 may comprise one part 160, such that one flow path 166 isdefined by the pump tubing 104. It is to be further understood that asingle alignment notch 150, or more than two alignment notches 150 maybe used with exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept disclosedherein. It is to be further understood that other alignment features maybe used to align the first portion 140 and the second portion 142, suchas, for example protrusions, grooves, notches, visual markings, andcombinations thereof.

The fluid connectors 154 can be any fluid connectors that allow the pumptubing 104 to be fluidly connected to the first fluid connectors 123a-b. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluid connectors 154 may bepress-fit fluid connectors 154 that are pressed into at least one of thefirst fluid connector 123 a and the first fluid connector 123 b, suchthat the pump tubing 104 is in fluid communication with at least one ofthe first fluid connector 123 a and the first fluid connector 123 b, anda fluid-impermeable connection is formed between at least one of thefirst fluid connector 123 a and the first fluid connector 123 b and thefluid connectors 154.

The first portion 140 and the second portion 142 are preferably moldedor otherwise bonded together such that a fluid-impermeable pump tubing104 is formed by the connection between the first portion 140 and thesecond portion 142. As used herein the term bonded is not limited tousing adhesives to connect the first portion 140 to the second portion142, but may include cohesives, welds, ultrasonic bonding, and the likeas will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. It is tobe understood that the first portion 140 and the second portion 142 maybe formed as a unitary body, or may be connected to one another in anysuitable manner, such as by pressure clamping, press-fitting, andcombinations thereof, for example, as will be appreciated by persons ofordinary skill in the art. Further, while the wall 141 is shown ashaving a thickness X which is preferably from about 0.75 mm to about 5mm, it is to be understood that such thickness is exemplary only, andthe wall 141 may have varying thickness sufficient to provide the wall141 with sufficient elasticity such that the wall 141 may be compressedby the pump drive 106, and automatically rebound to its uncompressedstate when not being compressed by the pump drive 106 to draw fluid intothe first flow path 166 a and the second flow path 166 b.

The pump drive 106 may be coupled with the plate 110 by any suitablemeans (not shown), such as a pivoting arm, for example. Alternatively,the pump drive 106 may not be physically attached to the plate 110,instead the pump drive 106 and the plate 110 may be attached to anoptional external housing (not shown) which may function to providestructural support for the pump drive 106 and the plate 110. Theoptional external housing (not shown) may provide an insertion cavity(not shown) for the plate 110, and a hinged attachment frame (not shown)for the pump drive 106. The optional external housing (not shown) maycomprise access doors or openings to allow access to the components by auser, and may have a control module and/or a control panel havingvarious controls accessible by a user. Such external housings are wellknown in the art, and a detailed description is not deemed necessaryherein to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to implement suchexternal housing with embodiments of the instant inventive concept.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the pump drive 106 comprises a source 168having a drive shaft 170, and a pump roller 172 comprising a spider 174and a plurality of rollers 176 (only 4 are shown for clarity) adapted tobe rotated over the pump tubing 104. The pump drive 106 may be operablycoupled to the plate 110 (directly and/or indirectly) in any suitablemanner, such as via a hinged arm of an external housing (not shown), forexample. Preferably, the pump drive 106 is operably coupled to the plate110 in such a way that the pressure exerted upon the wall 141 of thepump tubing 104 by the pump drive 106 may be selectively varied by auser. In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure exerted or applied by thepump drive 106 on the wall 141 is exerted in an axial direction relativeto the pump tubing 104, which axial direction is preferably alsoperpendicular to the top surface 114 of the plate 110.

The source 168 may be any source of mechanical power capable of rotatingthe pump roller 172 about the pump tubing 104, such as a direct currentelectrical motor, an alternating current electrical motor, and aninternal combustion engine, for example. It is to be understood that thesource 168 may be located remotely from the pump drive, provided thatmechanical force can be applied to the drive shaft 170 by the source 168via an operational linkage (not shown), such as a drive belt, or a drivechain, for example. It is to be understood that the speed with which thesource 168 rotates the drive shaft 170 may be selectively adjusted by auser of the fluid pump 100, whether such adjustment is manual orautomatically carried out by a control module (not shown).

The drive shaft 170 can be any conventional drive shaft operably coupledwith the source 168 and the pump roller 172, and capable of transferringmechanical energy from the source 168 to the pump roller 172 such thatthe pump roller 172 can be moved in a path following the pump tubing104. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring-loaded coupling (not shown)may be used to operably couple the pump roller 172 and the source 168,such that the pressure exerted by the pump roller 172 onto the pumptubing 104 may be selectively adjusted by a user. In another exemplaryembodiment, the drive shaft 170 can be omitted, and the source 168 maybe operably coupled with the pump roller 172. In an exemplary embodimentcomprising two pump rollers 172, each of the two pump rollers 172 may becoupled to a separate source 168, or a source 168 may be coupled to twoor more pump rollers 172.

The pump roller 172 comprises a plurality of rollers 176 and a spider174. The rollers 176 are rotatably attached to the spider 174 such thatthe rollers 176 can engage the pump tubing 104 and can rotate over thewall 141. The rollers are tapered relative to a rotational axis 177.Preferably, the rollers 176 engage the pump tubing 104 and are movablein a path following the wall 141 from the first part 144 a to the secondpart 144 b. In an exemplary embodiment two rollers 176 engage the firstpart 144 a and two rollers 176 engage the second part 144 b, but it isto be understood that any suitable number of rollers 176 may engage thefirst part 144 a and the second part 144 b at any given time. As will beunderstood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, the taper in therollers 176 allows the rollers to rotate in a circular path such thatslippage of the rollers 176 over the surface of the wall 141 of the pumptubing 104 is substantially avoided and radial scrub forces on the wall141 are substantially or completely avoided. The rollers 176 may be madeof any suitable resilient material having sufficient durability, such asmetals, alloys, hard plastics, composite materials, and combinationsthereof, for example. It is to be understood that while four rollers 176are shown, the inventive concept disclosed herein may be used with anynumber of rollers 176, such as one roller 176, two rollers 176, threerollers 176, or four rollers 176, for example.

The pump roller 172 may further comprise a retaining ring insert 178,adapted to be matingly received by the retaining ring 126, such that thepump roller 172 and the pump platen 118 are maintained in a concentricorientation. As it will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill inthe art such feature is optional, and the concentric orientation of thepump roller 172 and the pump platen 118 may be maintained in a varietyof ways, including mounting the pump drive 106 directly to the plate110, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the source 168 may bemounted on the bottom surface 116 of the plate 110 and the drive shaft170 may extend through the plate 110 and through the retaining ring 126,such that the concentric orientation of the pump roller 172 and the pumpplaten 118 is maintained thereby.

In operation, the fluid pump 100 according to the instant inventiveconcept operates by positioning the pump tubing 104 on the pump platen118, or otherwise connecting the pump tubing 104 to the pump platen 118,such that a fluid-impermeable connection is formed between the pumptubing 104 and the pump platen 118. Such connection may be formed forexample, by press-fitting the fluid connectors 154 onto the pump tubingattachment posts 124 a-d. Next one or more fluid inlets may be attachedto one or more of the fluid connectors 128 a-m. Similarly, one or morefluid outlets may be attached to one or more of the fluid connectors 128a-m. The distribution valve 108 may be selectively operated to fluidlyconnect two or more of the fluid connectors 128 a-m via a valve port 132a-h to at least one of the first part 144 a and the second part 144 b ofthe pump tubing 104. The pump drive 106 is operated to rotate therollers 176 over the wall 141 of the pump tubing 104, such that fluid ispumped through at least one of the first part 144 a and the second part144 b of the wall 141.

Referring now to FIG. 8, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of apath that a fluid may travel or take through the fluid pump 100. Thefluid enters the pump manifold via a fluid connector 128 b and is routedthrough a first fluid path 138 a to the valve port 132 f. Thedistribution valve 108 is positioned such that the valve port 132 f isin fluid communication with the valve port 132 a, through which thefluid is routed next. The fluid continues through a second fluid path138 b to the fluid connector 128 l. From the fluid connector 128 l, thefluid exits the fluidic manifold 102 via a fluid conduit 180 and isrouted through an external device 182. The external device 182 may be,for example, another fluidic manifold 102, a sensor capable of sensingand/or detecting chemical or biological substances, a gas spectrometer,a NMR spectrometer, and infrared spectrometer, and combinations thereof.Next, a second fluid conduit 184 carries the fluid back into the fluidicmanifold 102 via a fluid connector 128 h. The fluid enters the pumptubing 104 via a fluid path 138 c. The fluid is then pumped through thepump tubing 104 and through a fluid path 138 d, by the operation of thepump drive 106. Finally, the fluid exits the manifold via a fluidconnector 128 e and is carried by a fluid conduit 186 to a wastereceptacle (not shown). It is to be understood however that one or morefluids may take varying paths through a fluid pump 100 according to theinstant inventive concept, and such one or more fluids may be pumpedsimultaneously, separately, or in any predetermined or random sequenceby the fluid pump 100. One or more fluids may be pumped by the fluidpump 100 simultaneously or in succession, via selective operation of theoptional distribution valve 108 as described above. Alternatively, oneor more fluids may be pumped by the fluid pump 100 via the same set offluid paths 138, or via two or more sets of fluid paths 138 a-n.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that variousmodifications and changes may be made in the preferred and alternativeembodiments of the present inventive concept without departing from itsscope and spirit.

This description is intended for purposes of illustration only andshould not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of this inventiveconcept should be determined only by the language of the claims thatfollow. The term “comprising” within the claims is intended to mean“including at least one” such that the recited listing of elements in aclaim are an open group. “A,” “an” and other singular terms are intendedto include the plural forms thereof unless specifically excluded.

1. A fluid pump comprising: a fluidic manifold comprising: a plateconstructed of a fluid-impermeable material, the plate having a pumpplaten, first fluid connectors, and second fluid connectors, and one ormore channels formed therein for connecting the first connectors to thesecond connectors; a fluid-impermeable membrane positioned on the plateand covering the one or more fluid channels to form one or more fluidpaths; a pump tubing positioned on the pump platen, the pump tubinghaving a first part connected to a first one of the first fluidconnectors and a second part connected to a second one of the firstfluid connectors such that the pump tubing is fluidly connected to thechannels via the first one and the second one of the first fluidconnectors; a pump drive having two or more rollers engaging the pumptubing and movable in a path following the pump tubing from the firstpart to the second part, and a source operably connected to the rollersand adapted to move the rollers through the path.
 2. The fluid pump ofclaim 1, wherein the pump tubing comprises two or more portions bondedtogether such that the pump tubing is substantially impermeable tofluids.
 3. The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the pump tubing comprisesa top elastomeric portion and a bottom portion bonded to the topelastomeric portion, such that a fluid-impermeable fluid channel isformed by the top portion and the bottom portion.
 4. The fluid pump ofclaim 1, wherein the fluidic manifold further comprises a valve operablyconnected to one or more of the fluid paths and operable to selectivelydirect fluid flow through the plate of the fluidic manifold.
 5. Thefluid pump of claim 1, wherein the fluidic manifold comprises a topsurface and a bottom surface, and wherein the pump platen extends fromthe top surface and the fluid channels are formed in the bottom surface.6. The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the plate is substantiallyrectangular in shape.
 7. The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the two ormore rollers are tapered relative to a rotation axis, such that therollers are rotatable over an exterior surface of the pump tubing. 8.The fluid pump of claim 1, wherein the first fluid connectors definepress-fit connections.
 9. A fluid pump, comprising: a fluidic manifoldcomprising: a plate having a pump platen; a pump tubing positioned onthe pump platen, the pump tubing having a first portion and a secondportion bonded together to form a fluid impermeable connection and aflow channel extending between a first part and a second part the firstportion, the first portion being constructed of a fluid impermeablematerial and positioned on the pump platen, the second portionpositioned on the first portion and formed of an elastomeric, fluidimpermeable material; a pump drive having two or more rollers engagingthe pump tubing and movable in a path following the pump tubing from thefirst part to the second part to compress the first portion between therollers and the pump platen, and a source operably connected to therollers and adapted to move the rollers through the path.
 10. The fluidpump of claim 9, wherein the plate includes first fluid connectors andwherein the first part is connected to a first one of the first fluidconnectors, and the second part is connected a second one of the firstfluid connectors.
 11. The fluid pump of claim 10, wherein the firstfluid connectors define press-fit connectors.
 12. A fluidic manifoldcomprising: a plate constructed of a fluid-impermeable material, theplate having a pump platen, first fluid connectors, and second fluidconnectors, and channels formed therein for connecting the first fluidconnectors to the second fluid connectors; and a fluid-impermeablemembrane positioned onto the plate and covering the channels to formfluid paths.
 13. The fluidic manifold of claim 12, further comprising afirst surface and a second surface opposite from the first surface, andwherein the pump platen is positioned on the first surface and thechannels are formed in the second surface.
 14. The fluidic manifold ofclaim 12, wherein the first fluid connectors define press-fitconnections.
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)